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Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series vs Wild Turkey 81
On paper Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series and Wild Turkey 81 are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$55 – $70 vs. ~$20 – $25) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 98.9 proof (49.5% ABV) +18 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$20 – $25 ~$40 less |
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series and Wild Turkey 81 do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/3 fruit: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series: A blend of Bardstown's own young distillate with older sourced Kentucky whiskey, which is exactly what the name describes. Polished and fruit-leaning, and a clear demonstration that the blending is the skill on show.
- Wild Turkey 81: The same mash bill and No. 4 char as Wild Turkey 101, cut to 81 proof. Honey and toffee come through clearly, but the body and spice are much lighter.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series if you want a well-built modern blend that shows what careful blending does rather than what age alone does with more proof behind it.
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).